10 Bringing health care news to your home Caring for kids in the hospital (and beyond) Pediatric hospitalists are available around the clock When babies are born at Columbus Community Hospital, expert pediatricians lead the team that cares for them in our maternal child health department and newborn special care unit. Those pediatric hospitalists also provide specialized care to children of all ages who are hospitalized at CCH. Pediatricians are specialized physicians who care for children from birth to 20 years of age. They have three to four years of advanced training to care for your infant, child or teenager. Pediatricians at work Columbus Children’s Healthcare has a staff of four pediatricians with decades of experience. While they spend most of their day in the outpatient clinic, they also provide pediatric care as needed around the clock at CCH. “We are the faces you may see if any of your kids are sick or if you have a baby born at the hospital,” said Margaret Egbarts, MD, FAAP. Their wide-ranging care includes three specific areas: Newborn exams. Pediatric hospitalists are there for a newborn’s first days of life. They see babies daily in the hospital, performing each infant’s first physical exam, which provides many parents with reassurance and confidence. “We evaluate them head to toe,” said David Rohwer, MD, FAAP. Pediatric hospitalists also review and evaluate newborn screenings, including heart, hearing and metabolic tests. And, based on the mom’s medical history, they monitor for any complications or health risk factors that may need early attention. They also offer guidance to new parents on issues such as feeding a baby to help ensure proper growth. “We talk a lot about safe sleep and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) risk, and how you can participate in lowering that,” said Kimberly Allen, DO, FAAP. “Educating parents is a significant aspect of pediatrics,” added Jon Kroenke, MD, FAAP. “The goal is to help parents feel more comfortable and confident about their children’s health.” Specialized care for fragile newborns. Pediatric hospitalists also lead the team that provides specialized care for premature or ill newborns who need extra monitoring or treatment in the special care unit. They care for infants who may require support for issues such as breathing or feeding difficulties, infections and blood sugar problems. At CCH, parents can see their babies in the unit as much as they want. There are private rooms and no visiting hour limits, which helps families stay connected throughout their baby’s stay.
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